Three Simple Ways I Stay Ultra Productive Even When I’m Burned Out

Unlock your power of ultra-productiveness

Francis Ekwunife
ILLUMINATION
4 min readMay 31, 2024

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Photo by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash

Yesterday, I had soccer practice.

When I came back home, I started working on some projects.

I was tired from soccer practice, but I felt burned out from the additional stress of the projects.

I tried hard to be productive but it wasn't easy because I felt like sleeping.

But I had three simple ways that helped me stay ultra-productive even when burned out.

And I want to share them so you can do the same.

So, if you’re ready, let’s dive in.

Way #1: Don’t kneel down

Photo by Crew on Unsplash

No matter what you do, don’t kneel on a soft surface to do your work.

It only makes you fall asleep.

Instead, to be ultra-productive when feeling burned out, sit with the correct posture or walk and work.

“Don’t stop when you’re tired. Stop when you’re done.”— David Goggins

I dislike kneeling to work, especially on a soft surface like a bed or couch because I’ll sleep.

It’s like lying on a bed, feeling sleepy, and saying you can write a 1000-word essay without mistakes.

Instead, this is what I do:

  • I sit with the correct sitting posture to do my work.
  • I also walk and do my work.
  • This way I don’t sleep but stay ultra-productive even when burned out.

Way #2: Focus your energy

Photo by Devin Avery on Unsplash

When you’re burned out, you feel like you’re tired.

Then you start wasting your energy by distracting yourself from what you’re supposed to do by scrolling through social media or playing games.

Instead, focus all your energy on what you’re working on to be ultra-productive even when burned out.

“Where focus goes, energy flows.” — Tony Robbins

Sometimes, I find it hard to be ultra-productive when I’m burned out because I lie to myself to relax by scrolling through Twitter or Threads.

But I become ultra-productive when I focus all my energy on my work.

How I do it:

  • I’ve removed every social media app on my phone except Snapchat. And I don’t have games on my phone so I don’t distract myself when I work
  • I remove every social media website before I start working on my Laptop
  • I go into a flow state when I work. I do or write as the ideas flow out of my mind and don’t edit until I’m done.

Way #3: Help others

Photo by CDC on Unsplash

It might seem counterproductive to help others when you’re burned out.

But it’s smart to help others when you feel burned out.

Because it gives you a short burst of energy and keeps you from sleeping, which makes you ultra-productive.

“If you want to achieve your goals, help others achieve theirs.”— Zig Ziglar

At some point yesterday, I was falling asleep while writing because I was so exhausted.

But I had to help my sister with her homework.

After I was done helping her, I gained lots of energy and became ultra-productive again, even though I was burned out.

How I do it:

  • I don’t help people with back-breaking work when I’m burned out and trying to work unless it’s an emergency.
  • I only help them with easy work.
  • And I help them to the best of my ability.

Three simple ways to stay ultra-productive even when you’re burned out:

  • Sit with the correct posture or walk to do your work.
  • Focus all your energy on what you’re working on and don’t distract yourself with games or social media.
  • Help people when you can.

You can be ultra-productive even when you’re burned out.

But you must take it easy, and these points are designed so you take it easy.

Which point did you like? Share why in the comments.

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Francis Ekwunife
ILLUMINATION

Growing my newsletter to 10,000 subs + $10k/month. Showing writers and businesses how to grow theirs. Free email course: https://blogger-16.ck.page/4bb6a8ba72